HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-12 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 04/08/2024
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
Braemar Golf Course
March 12, 2024
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Kane, Luangrath, Pettit, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Weaver
and Student Commissioners DiLorenzo and Holtey
Commissioners Absent: Garazatua and Welsh
Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson,
Assistant Director Recreation and Facilities Tracy Petersen, City Forester Luther Overholt,
Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walters and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Spanhake to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Pfuhl.
Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the Feb. 13, 2024, minutes. Motion seconded by Weaver.
Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Staff Liaison Vetter welcomed new Commissioners Kane and Pettit, noting new Commissioner
Garazatua was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Commissioners Bob Kane and Leah Pettit
introduced themselves to the Commission. The Commission introduced themselves to the new
Commissioners.
VI. Community Comment
None
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Outdoor Ice Rink Season Recap & Preview of Summer Sports
Recreation Supervisor Walters provided a presentation on this item, noting there are 12 rink
locations, and the season normally runs from mid-December through mid-February. This year,
the rinks were only open 13 days, due to the unseasonably warm weather. In 2023 there was
approximately 1,270 hours reserved for each softball field. The primary users of the sports fields
are local sports associations.
Discussion ensued regarding the sports dome usage.
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 04/08/2024
Recreation Supervisor Walters stated that funds have been received from the Edina Rotary Club
that will be used to supply a new public AED that will be mounted outside of the park shelter
building at Pamela Park. The equipment cost is $5,900. There is an additional fee of
approximately $1,500 for installation and wiring.
Recreation Supervisor Walters gave a re-cap of the 2023 programs. Registration for the Spring
and Summer programs began on Feb. 21, 2024, there will be 824 sessions of programing offered
and as of March 11, 2024, there have been 5,364 registrations.
The conversation returned to the ice rinks and potential ways of handling future weather issues.
B. Community Forestry Update
City Forester Overholt gave an update on the forestry program. He praised Matthew Gabb,
Sustainability Specialist in the Engineering Department, for his grant writing, stating Edina received
$500,000 that will be used for the removal and replacement of the worst public ash trees and
buckthorn. City Forester Overholt encouraged Commissioners to participate in the Tree Sale by
spreading the word or by purchasing trees for themselves and others. He also invited all to join him
on April 26, 2024, at Centennial Lakes Park to plant trees for Arbor Day from Noon-4 p.m.
C. Aquatic Center – Horizon Project Planning
Staff Liaison Vetter gave a presentation on the aquatic center relating to the massive infrastructure and
behind the scenes project that must be completed. The aquatic center houses a 50-meter-pool, twin
diving platforms, two waterslides, zero-entry wave pool, a cable ride from the pirate-themed ship to a
dry playground area, shower room/locker room, and concession service. Staff liaison Vetter showed
images and pointed out various issues to the Commissioners.
Staff Liaison Vetter stated that the following issues need to be addressed: filter room, shade structure,
pool deck/concession windows, changing rooms, pool deck, zero-entry, main pool, and plunge pool.
Staff Liaison Vetter stated there are between 75,000 and 85,000 visits to the aquatic center each year,
and most of the visitors stay more than two hours.
Staff Liaison Vetter gave concrete examples of specific improvements that could/should be made.
Staff Liaison Vetter stated that the city has requested State bonding for improvements to the aquatic
center totaling $10,500,000. Within that request is $4,000,000 for the filter equipment and the new
utility structure, which must be done. The remaining $6,500,000 funds would be invested in user
amenities and modernization needs.
D. 2024 Commission Work Plan
Initiative 1.6.1 – Review and comment on Fred Richards Implementation. Commissioner
Pettit asked to be on this initiative. It was noted part of the Master Plan is to create a wetland
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 04/08/2024
bank in the western portion of the park and the hope is to have a playground designed specifically
for children with Autism.
Initiative 1.6.2 – Review and comment on Braemar Park Implementation. Commissioner
Garazatua will be added to this initiative. It was noted that part of the intent is to replace all of
the safety nettings and backdrops in this park.
Initiative 1.6.3 – Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Commissioner
Kane will be added to this initiative. It was noted they are currently planning to have a couple of
focus groups involved for the purpose of gathering community input.
Initiative 1.6.4 – Community Garden Study and Report. Chair Doscotch has a meeting
scheduled with the Energy and Environment Commission to discuss cross pollination along with
how their initiatives work with our initiatives.
Initiative 1.6.5 – Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function. Staff
Liaison Vetter stated the plan is to find a professional service to assist with the park shelter
discussion around size and scope of the project as well as the concepts of something unique
versus having our own brand of building.
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
No comments
IX. Staff Comments
A. Upcoming Meetings and Events
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
The golf course is set to open March 25, 2024, weather dependent.
The Grandview Yard (old Public Works site) is a three-piece-stacked project from the
south to the north. The south was an age-restricted cooperative, otherwise known as
senior housing. The center portion was to become a restaurant. The northern portion was
to become a green space/park. The senior housing portion has withdrawn their proposal
and now the project is on pause.
A Master Plan was approved for Strachauer Park. The playground survey has already gone
out.
The upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meetings in April and in May will be on
Monday evenings at 7 p.m. There is also a Special Joint Work Session meeting with the
City Council on May 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. This is recommended, but attendance is not
required, for the Special Work Session. The June meeting will be on a Tuesday, there is no
July meeting and the August meeting will be on a Monday.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Spanhake to adjourn the March 12, 2024, meeting at 8:47 p.m. Motion
seconded by Weaver. Meeting adjourned.